October 16, 2013
Kohanga koha looseness unforgivable
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New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says allegations of misspending and misappropriation at a Kohanga Reo National Trust subsidiary company indicate a lack of professionalism has crept into the organisation.
The Government has ordered an independent audit to establish whether the trust is properly accountable for the $79 million a year it is paid for Maori early childhood education in te reo Maori.
Maori Television reporting that leaked records showed Te Pataka Ohanga general manager Lynda Tawhiwhirangi bought dresses and gifts with her company credit card and withdrew cash advances for koha to hui she failed to attend.
It also questioned spending by her mother in law, director and trustee Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi.
Directors have suspended Mrs Tawhiwhirangi and launched an investigation into her actions.
Te Kohanga Reo Trust has also commissioned an independent financial audit.
Mr Peters says organisations administering public money need to maintain proper systems, especially around sensitive areas like koha.
"It seems quite possible there was a lot of money paid by koha but the systems are there to ensure that is recorded. It's pretty simple really. Now when you start getting cash withdrawals, the chance of that shading into personal use as opposed to proper use is very present and very likely to happen. It's that sort of slackness and looseness that is unforgiveable," he says.
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